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Mind Body Connection

The Mind-Body Connection Uncovered in the Brain’s Structure

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found a connection between the body and mind in the brain’s structure. The study, published in Nature on April 19, 2023, utilized modern brain-imaging techniques to explore the brain’s motor areas map, replicating Wilder Penfield’s work from the 1930s.

The researchers discovered that the brain areas controlling movement are connected to networks involved in thinking, planning, and controlling involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. They named this newly identified network the Somato-Cognitive Action Network (SCAN).

The SCAN was found to be present in a 1-year-old and nearly adult-like in a 9-year-old but undetectable in a newborn. In monkeys, a more minor and rudimentary system was observed. These findings offer insights into phenomena like anxiety-induced pacing, depression alleviation through vagus nerve stimulation, and the positive effects of exercise on mental well-being.

The SCAN discovery could have significant implications for understanding the mind-body connection and its impact on mental health and well-being. It may also provide a scientific explanation for the benefits of HRV Biofeedback training, hypnotherapy, meditation, and mindfulness practices in reducing anxiety and promoting mental well-being.

This breakthrough helps us understand the benefits of holistic treatments that help improve mental health outcomes and overall well-being for countless individuals worldwide.

Car Accidents (MVA Injury)

Rehab Following a Car Accident (MVA)

Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe and elsewhere can lead to various physical and psychological symptoms. While whiplash is the most common injury associated with MVAs, it is crucial to understand that the range of possible injuries and symptoms is vast.

Injuries and symptoms that may develop after an MVA include:

Soft tissue injuries: These are injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can result in pain, swelling, and bruising. Examples include sprains, strains, and contusions.

Fractures and dislocations: Depending on the severity of the impact, bones may break, or joints may be dislocated. These injuries can be excruciating and require immediate medical attention.

Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and skull fractures can occur during an MVA. These injuries can lead to headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and cognitive impairment.

Spinal injuries: Damage to the spinal cord or vertebrae can result in pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis. Injuries can range from minor to severe and may require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.

Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, liver, or spleen, can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Emotional and psychological symptoms: MVAs can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These symptoms may manifest as nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, or avoidance of situations related to the accident.

Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling, staying, or experiencing restful sleep can develop due to the physical and emotional stress associated with an MVA.

Chronic pain: Persistent, localized or widespread pain can develop following an MVA. This may be due to nerve damage, scar tissue, or other factors.

It is essential to seek medical attention following an MVA, even if the injuries seem minor. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and support a faster recovery. Naturopathic counselling can help address the emotional and mental health aspects of recovering from an MVA, while manual therapy can help with physical rehabilitation.


Holistic Approaches for Symptoms After a Car Accident

Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) can result in a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms, and a holistic approach to recovery is often beneficial. Integrating alternative therapies with conventional medical treatment can help address various aspects of MVA recovery. Here are some ways naturopathy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, personal fitness training, and health supplements can be employed in the treatment and recovery process:

  1. Naturopathy: Naturopaths focus on stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities by addressing the root causes of symptoms. After an MVA, naturopathy may include dietary changes, practitioner-grade supplements, and stress management techniques to support overall health and well-being.
  2. Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological symptoms following an MVA. Techniques such as guided relaxation and positive suggestions can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and promote healing by addressing subconscious thought patterns.
  3. Massage therapy: Massage can help alleviate pain and tension in muscles and soft tissues, improving circulation and promoting relaxation. Regular massage sessions can assist in reducing inflammation, increasing flexibility, and speeding up the healing process after an MVA.
  4. Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow or Qi. This treatment can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation, benefiting MVA recovery.
  5. Osteopathy: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can help restore proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system after an MVA. OMT techniques relieve pain, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
  6. Personal fitness training: Following an MVA, a personalized fitness program designed by a certified trainer, can help individuals regain strength, flexibility, and endurance. This approach should be gradual and tailored to the individual’s needs and limitations, ensuring a safe and effective recovery process.
  7. Health supplements: Depending on the specific symptoms and needs of the individual, certain health supplements can support the healing process after an MVA. These may include anti-inflammatory supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, or supplements that help tissue repairs, such as collagen or vitamin C. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.

Integrating these alternative therapies into a comprehensive treatment plan can help support a holistic recovery process after an MVA. However, consulting with your family doctor to determine the most appropriate course of action based on individual needs and circumstances is crucial.

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety Moncton

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety & HRV Biofeedback

Does Hypnosis Help with Anxiety?

Evidence suggests hypnotherapy can effectively treat anxiety, particularly when combined with other therapies. If you’ve ever been in a trance-like state, whether at a concert or while listening to a good story, you may have been hypnotized for a few moments. Some therapists actively use hypnosis to guide patients into a deep state of relaxation, allowing them to be more open to suggestions that help bring them closer to their goals. The term “hypnosis” conjures up images of swaying pocket watches and clucking chickens. Although controversial, genuine hypnotherapy is not a cheap parlour trick, with studies showing that it can be a very effective method for some clients to cope with stress and anxiety.

Treatment for Anxiety with Hypnosis Works

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety Moncton

A 2017 meta-analysis of 20 studies found that hypnosis significantly improved anxiety symptoms in cancer patients. Another meta-analysis from 2019 that included 15 studies concluded that hypnosis reduced clients’ anxiety levels by 79% on average compared to controls who did not receive this intervention. A more recent 2020 study discovered evidence that a “15-minute hypnosis intervention” can improve anxiety in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This anxiety hypnotherapy often works best when incorporated within a multi-disciplinary practice. These effects are most likely due to the relaxing and calming state that hypnosis induces. Stanford University School of Medicine researchers scanned the brains of 57 hypnosis patients in 2016, reporting changes in brain activity in areas of emotional control and feelings of self-consciousness. This suggests that hypnosis can elicit a more robust physical response in the brain than a placebo!

Hypnosis Myths Versus Reality

During the hypnotherapy session, a trained hypnotherapist can use various natural techniques, such as verbal cues and repetition, to guide the patient into a relaxed but highly focused mental state. For example, the hypnotherapist may begin by describing images in a gentle, soothing tone to create a sense of relaxation, safety, and well-being. Once the patient is receptive, the therapist may describe vivid mental images of the patient achieving their goals. Patients are generally aware throughout the session and recall what occurred afterwards. It is a myth that a hypnotized person loses control or forgets everything after the session.

Hypnotic practices have existed for centuries in many cultures worldwide, from Native North American medicine and Siberian shamanism to the Ancient Egyptians. With the notable exploits of German physician Franz Anton Mesmer, from whom the term mesmerize’ originates, hypnosis had a rocky start, to say the least, in the Western world in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Mesmer founded a pseudoscience movement that held that disease occurred when the flow of the invisible fluid through the body became obstructed due to “animal magnetism.” Mesmer used hypnosis techniques on his patients, but after some apparent breakthroughs in treating certain nervous diseases, he was accused of fraud, and mesmerism faded away.

Later, there was a boom in stage hypnosis, with performers touring Europe and the United States claiming they could make participants impersonate a chicken, become stiff as a board, or see the Virgin Mary appear. At the turn of the twentieth century, hypnosis was also at the centre of several scandals that didn’t help matters. As a result, hypnosis earned a bad reputation, prompting legitimate physicians to distance themselves from it. However, in recent decades, hypnosis has reinvented itself, and there is now a growing body of scientific literature supporting its clinical efficacy for some conditions. Due to its relaxing properties, treatment for anxiety and panic attacks is often at the forefront of this therapy. Of course, I’m talking about clinical hypnosis practiced by naturologists and other health professionals, not by unqualified laypeople.

Despite unfortunate misconceptions, hypnosis is far from a fringe movement, with many reputable universities continuing to research its effectiveness in treating pain, irritable bowel syndrome, PTSD, insomnia, addiction, and more.

Our Clients Benefit from HRV (Heart Rate Variability) Biofeedback Training

Studies conducted with over 11,500* people have shown improvements in mental & emotional well-being in just 6-9 weeks using HRV biofeedback training.

HRV Biofeedback Moncton

24% improvement in the ability to focus

30% improvement in sleep

38% improvement in calmness

46% drop in anxiety

48% drop in fatigue

56% drop in depression

* N= 11,903
Percent of individuals responding “often to always” on normed and validated pre and post Personal and Organizational Quality Assessment (POQA-R)

 

Consider scheduling an initial consultation for Naturopathy today!